Print service system

ABSTRACT

The image data of an image captured by a user using an imaging apparatus is transmitted to a home server apparatus by wireless communications. Upon receipt of the image data, the home server apparatus automatically transmits the image data to the print server apparatus, and the print server apparatus transmits electronic mail including an image data output suggestion message and a procedure of placing an order when the amount of image data of the user has exceeded a predetermined value.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a print service system, and morespecifically to a print service system which provides a print serviceonline.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] There has conventionally been a known system for providing aprint service online for a user of an imaging apparatus such as adigital camera, etc. For example, there is a well-known system in whichan order of a print service is placed by a user who transfers image datato a server apparatus in a service provider through a personal computer(hereinafter referred to as a PC), a mobile phone, etc. (See JapanesePatent Application Publication No. 2002-149796.)

[0005] However, in the conventional technique disclosed by JapanesePatent Application Publication No. 2002-149796, etc., the user has tostore and manage the user's own image data, select an image to betransferred to a server, and transfer the image using a mobile phone, aPC, etc. These operations are time-consuming and laborious for a passiveuser and a beginner, and there are a number of users unwilling to use aprint service online.

[0006] As a result, some amount of image data remains unprinted andaccumulated for users, and the print service providers possibly miss achance to receive an order from a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of theabove-mentioned situations, and an object of the invention is to providea print service system capable of allowing a user to quickly and easilyuse an online service, and a service provider to increase the chance toreceive orders from users.

[0008] To attain the above-mentioned object, the first aspect of thepresent invention is a print service system comprising: an imagingapparatus including an imaging device which outputs image data of aphoto image obtained by capturing an object, a first recording devicewhich records the image data, and a first communications device whichtransmits the image data recorded in the first recording device to apredetermined home server apparatus; the predetermined home serverapparatus including a second communications device which receives imagedata from the imaging apparatus, a second recording device which recordsthe image data received by the second communications device, and a thirdcommunications device which automatically transmits the image datarecorded by the second recording device and predetermined userinformation to a predetermined print server apparatus; and thepredetermined print server apparatus including a fourth communicationsdevice which receives image data and the predetermined user informationfrom the home server apparatus, a third recording device which recordsthe image data received by the fourth communications device for eachuser specified by the predetermined user information, a user datamanagement device which manages image data of a user recorded by thethird recording device, and a first output device which outputs theimage data recorded by the third recording device to a medium when theuser issues an order, wherein: the user data management device updatesat least one of a total number of pieces of image data and a totalamount of image data about a user specified by the predetermined userinformation each time the fourth communications device receives imagedata and the predetermined user information from the home serverapparatus, and automatically transmits message information to equipmentregistered in advance for the user when the updated result exceeds apredetermined value, wherein the message information includes a proposalfor the user to output image data to a medium.

[0009] That is, since the imaging apparatus transmits image data to apredetermined home server apparatus, and the home server apparatusreceives and records image data and automatically transmits the imagedata to a predetermined print server apparatus, it is not necessary fora user to activate equipment to transmit image data, access a serverapparatus on a network. And image data is not transmitted to an improperprint server apparatus by an erroneous operation.

[0010] Additionally, since the home server apparatus records receivedimage data, the recorded data can be transmitted to a print serverapparatus at any timing, for example, when the load on the home serverapparatus is low. Furthermore, even when a print server apparatus is inan inoperable state or cannot transmit image data due to troubleoccurring in the communications, the image data can be re-transmitted.Since image data can be automatically transmitted, the user is notrequired to operate a home server apparatus.

[0011] Thus, the user can quickly and easily transmit image data.

[0012] A print server apparatus updates the total number of pieces ofimage data of each user and the total amount of image data of each usereach time image data is received, and transmits message information to auser when the update result exceeds a predetermined value. The messageinformation includes a proposal to output image data to a medium.

[0013] The management of image data for each user can be performed bydesignating a client using predetermined user information, for example,an ID and a password, received by the print server apparatus from thehome server apparatus.

[0014] The above-mentioned message information can be registered inadvance so that not only the home server apparatus, but also otherequipment such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC),a personal digital assistance (PDA), a mobile phone, etc. can receiveand browse the information.

[0015] The above-mentioned predetermined value can be a valuecorresponding to the number of frames of silver-salt film such as 24,36, etc. as an amount appropriate for an order. An amount of image datacan be a value corresponding to the capacity of a storage medium such as64 MB (megabyte), 128 MB, etc. These values can be set for one or bothof the number of pieces of image data and the amount of image data, or aplurality of values can be simultaneously set.

[0016] Proposal to output image data to a medium can include anotification that the amount of image data has reached a predeterminedvalue, and how to place an order of output of image data.

[0017] Thus, a user can be informed that the amount of image data hasreached a predetermined value without his or her own management of theimage data, and can also place an order of output of image dataaccording to the above-mentioned message, thereby quickly and easilyobtaining an online service.

[0018] Furthermore, the image data of users can be managed and aproposal to output to a medium can be issued, a service provider canincrease the chance to receive an order from a user.

[0019] The second aspect of the present invention is based on the firstaspect of the present invention, wherein communications between theimaging apparatus and the home server apparatus are performed bywireless communications, the imaging apparatus transmits predeterminedimaging apparatus information to the home server apparatus, and the homeserver apparatus receives image data from the imaging apparatus onlywhen the imaging apparatus information received from the imagingapparatus matches imaging apparatus information stored in advance.

[0020] That is, since communications between the imaging apparatus andthe home server apparatus are performed by wireless communications, auser can transmit image data anywhere in a coverage of the wirelesscommunications. Additionally, since image data is transmitted only whenidentification information transmitted from an imaging apparatus matchesidentification information stored in advance in a home server apparatus,no image data is transmitted from an unauthorized equipment.

[0021] Thus, a user can much more quickly and easily use an onlineservice, and enhance the security of the system.

[0022] The third aspect of the present invention is based on the firstaspect of the present invention, and further includes a cradle apparatuscapable of supplying power to the imaging apparatus, and the imagingapparatus automatically starts wireless communications with the homeserver apparatus when the imaging apparatus is connected to the cradleapparatus.

[0023] That is, since image data is automatically transmitted when animaging apparatus is connected to a cradle apparatus, it is notnecessary for a user to perform any operation other than connecting theimaging apparatus to the cradle apparatus when image data istransmitted.

[0024] Thus, the user can much more quickly and easily obtain an onlineservice.

[0025] The fourth aspect of the present invention is based on the firstaspect of the present invention, wherein image data transmitted by theimaging apparatus is not assigned an identifier, and the identifier isassigned to image data already transmitted to the home server apparatusfrom the imaging apparatus.

[0026] That is, by the imaging apparatus transmitting image data byreferring to an identifier indicating the transmission status, only theimage data which has not been transmitted yet can be transmitted to thehome server apparatus without double transmitting already transmittedimage data.

[0027] Therefore, it is not necessary for a user to check whether or notimage data has already been transmitted. As a result, the user can muchmore quickly and easily obtain an online service.

[0028] The fifth aspect of the present invention is based on the firstaspect of the present invention, wherein communications between theimaging apparatus and the home server apparatus are performed bywireless communications, the imaging apparatus transmits predeterminedimaging apparatus information to the home server apparatus, and the homeserver apparatus receives image data from the imaging apparatus onlywhen the imaging apparatus information received from the imagingapparatus matches imaging apparatus information stored in advance; andthe imaging apparatus further includes a cradle apparatus capable ofsupplying power to the imaging apparatus, and the imaging apparatusautomatically starts wireless communications with the home serverapparatus when the imaging apparatus is connected to the cradleapparatus.

[0029] That is, since communications between the imaging apparatus andthe home server apparatus are performed by wireless communications, auser can transmit image data anywhere in a coverage of the wirelesscommunications. Additionally, since image data is transmitted only whenidentification information transmitted from an imaging apparatus matchesidentification information stored in advance in a home server apparatus,no image data is transmitted from an unauthorized equipment.

[0030] Since image data is automatically transmitted when an imagingapparatus is connected to a cradle apparatus, it is not necessary for auser to perform any operation other than connecting the imagingapparatus to the cradle apparatus when image data is transmitted.

[0031] Thus, a user can much more quickly and easily use an onlineservice, and enhance the security of the system.

[0032] The sixth aspect of the present invention is based on the firstaspect of the present invention, wherein communications between theimaging apparatus and the home server apparatus are performed bywireless communications, the imaging apparatus transmits predeterminedimaging apparatus information to the home server apparatus, and the homeserver apparatus receives image data from the imaging apparatus onlywhen the imaging apparatus information received from the imagingapparatus matches imaging apparatus information stored in advance; theimaging apparatus further includes a cradle apparatus capable ofsupplying power to the imaging apparatus, the imaging apparatusautomatically starts wireless communications with the home serverapparatus when the imaging apparatus is connected to the cradleapparatus; and image data transmitted by the imaging apparatus is notassigned an identifier, and the identifier is assigned to image dataalready transmitted to the home server apparatus from the imagingapparatus.

[0033] That is, since communications between the imaging apparatus andthe home server apparatus are performed by wireless communications, auser can transmit image data anywhere in a coverage of the wirelesscommunications. Additionally, since image data is transmitted only whenidentification information transmitted from an imaging apparatus matchesidentification information stored in advance in a home server apparatus,no image data is transmitted from an unauthorized equipment.

[0034] Since image data is automatically transmitted when an imagingapparatus is connected to a cradle apparatus, it is not necessary for auser to perform any operation other than connecting the imagingapparatus to the cradle apparatus when image data is transmitted.

[0035] Furthermore, by the imaging apparatus transmitting image data byreferring to an identifier indicating the transmission status, only theimage data which has not been transmitted yet can be transmitted to thehome server apparatus without double transmitting already transmittedimage data.

[0036] Thus, a user can much more quickly and easily use an onlineservice, and enhance the security of the system. Additionally, the userdoes not have to check whether or not image data has already beentransmitted.

[0037] To attain the above-mentioned object, the seventh aspect of thepresent invention is a print service system comprising: an imagingapparatus including: an imaging device which outputs image data of aphoto image obtained by capturing an object, a first recording devicewhich records the image data, and a first communications device whichtransmits the image data recorded in the first recording device to apredetermined home server apparatus; and the home server apparatusincluding: a second communications device which receives image data fromthe imaging apparatus, a second recording device which records the imagedata received by the second communications device, a thirdcommunications device which automatically transmits the image datarecorded by the second recording device and predetermined userinformation to a predetermined print server apparatus, and an image datamanagement device which manages image data recorded in the secondrecording device, wherein: the image data management device updates atleast one of a total number of pieces of image data and a total amountof image data each time the third communications device transmits imagedata to the specified print server apparatus, and automaticallytransmits message information to equipment registered in advance whenthe updated result exceeds a predetermined value, wherein the messageinformation includes a proposal to output image data to a medium fromthe print server apparatus.

[0038] That is, since the imaging apparatus transmits image data to apredetermined home server apparatus, and the home server apparatusreceives and records image data and automatically transmits the imagedata to a specified print server apparatus, it is not necessary for auser to activate equipment to transmit image data, access a serverapparatus on a network. And image data is not transmitted to an improperprint server apparatus by an erroneous operation.

[0039] Thus, the user can quickly and easily transmit image data to aprint server apparatus.

[0040] A home server apparatus updates the total number of pieces ofimage data of each user and the total amount of image data of each usereach time image data is received, and transmits message information whenthe update result exceeds a predetermined value. The message informationincludes proposal to output image data from a print server apparatus toa medium.

[0041] The proposal to output image data to a medium included in theabove-mentioned message information can be a notification that theamount of image data has reached a predetermined value, and a procedureof placing an order of the output of image data.

[0042] The above-mentioned message information can be registered inadvance so that not only the home server apparatus, but also otherequipment such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC),a personal digital assistance (PDA), a mobile phone, etc. can receiveand browse the information.

[0043] The above-mentioned predetermined value can be a valuecorresponding to the number of frames of silver-salt film such as 24,36, etc. as an amount appropriate for an order. An amount of image datacan be a value corresponding to the capacity of a storage medium such as64 MB (megabyte), 128 MB, etc. These values can be set for one or bothof the number of pieces of image data and the amount of image data, or aplurality of values can be simultaneously set.

[0044] A service provider can newly provide a print server apparatus tostore and output image data, and can use an existing print serverapparatus for the above-mentioned object.

[0045] Thus, a user can be informed that the amount of image data hasreached a predetermined value without his or her own management of theimage data, and can also place an order of output of image dataaccording to the above-mentioned message, thereby quickly and easilyobtaining an online service.

[0046] Furthermore, the image data of users can be managed and aproposal to output the image data from a print server apparatus to amedium can be issued, a service provider can increase the chance toreceive an order from a user.

[0047] The eighth aspect of the present invention is based on theseventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the second recordingdevice is either a non-volatile storage device which stores image datafor a plurality of images or a volatile storage device which temporarilystores image data.

[0048] That is, when the second recording device is a non-volatilestorage device for storing image data for a plurality of images, theimage data can be stored in a non-volatile state. Therefore, the imagedata can be transmitted to a print server apparatus at any timing, orcan be re-transmitted.

[0049] When the second recording device is a volatile storage device fortemporarily storing image data, no large-capacity recording device forstoring image data for a plurality of images is required, therebysuccessfully reducing the cost of the home server apparatus.

[0050] Since image data stored in the second recording device can beautomatically transmitted, it is not necessary for a user to operate thehome server apparatus.

[0051] The ninth aspect of the present invention is based on the seventhaspect of the present invention, wherein communications between theimaging apparatus and the home server apparatus are performed bywireless communications, the imaging apparatus transmits predeterminedimaging apparatus information to the home server apparatus, and the homeserver apparatus receives image data from the imaging apparatus onlywhen the imaging apparatus information received from the imagingapparatus matches imaging apparatus information stored in advance.

[0052] That is, since communications between the imaging apparatus andthe home server apparatus are performed by wireless communications, auser can transmit image data anywhere in a coverage of the wirelesscommunications. Additionally, since image data is transmitted only whenidentification information transmitted from an imaging apparatus matchesidentification information stored in advance in a home server apparatus,no image data is transmitted from an unauthorized equipment.

[0053] Thus, a user can much more quickly and easily use an onlineservice, and enhance the security of the system.

[0054] The tenth aspect of the present invention is based on the seventhaspect of the present invention, wherein the imaging apparatus furtherincludes a cradle apparatus capable of supplying power to the imagingapparatus, and the imaging apparatus automatically starts wirelesscommunications with the home server apparatus when the imaging apparatusis connected to the cradle apparatus.

[0055] That is, since image data is automatically transmitted when animaging apparatus is connected to a cradle apparatus, it is notnecessary for a user to perform any operation other than connecting theimaging apparatus to the cradle apparatus when image data istransmitted.

[0056] Thus, a user can much more quickly and easily use an onlineservice.

[0057] The eleventh aspect of the present invention is based on theseventh aspect of the present invention, wherein image data transmittedby the imaging apparatus is not assigned an identifier, and theidentifier is assigned to image data already transmitted to the homeserver apparatus from the imaging apparatus.

[0058] That is, by the imaging apparatus transmitting image data byreferring to an identifier indicating the transmission status, only theimage data which has not been transmitted yet can be transmitted to thehome server apparatus without double transmitting already transmittedimage data.

[0059] Therefore, it is not necessary for a user to check whether or notimage data has already been transmitted. As a result, the user can muchmore quickly and easily obtain an online service.

[0060] The twelfth aspect of the present invention is based on theseventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the second recordingdevice is either a non-volatile storage device which stores image datafor a plurality of images or a volatile storage device which temporarilystores image data; and communications between the imaging apparatus andthe home server apparatus are performed by wireless communications, theimaging apparatus transmits predetermined imaging apparatus informationto the home server apparatus, and the home server apparatus receivesimage data from the imaging apparatus only when the imaging apparatusinformation received from the imaging apparatus matches imagingapparatus information stored in advance.

[0061] That is, when the second recording device is a non-volatilestorage device for storing image data for a plurality of images, theimage data can be stored in a non-volatile state. Therefore, the imagedata can be transmitted to a print server apparatus at any timing, orcan be re-transmitted.

[0062] When the second recording device is a volatile storage device fortemporarily storing image data, no large-capacity recording device forstoring image data for a plurality of images is required, therebysuccessfully reducing the cost of the home server apparatus.

[0063] Since image data stored in the second recording device can beautomatically transmitted, it is not necessary for a user to operate thehome server apparatus.

[0064] Since communications between the imaging apparatus and the homeserver apparatus are performed by wireless communications, a user cantransmit image data anywhere in a coverage of the wirelesscommunications. Additionally, since image data is transmitted only whenidentification information transmitted from an imaging apparatus matchesidentification information stored in advance in a home server apparatus,no image data is transmitted from an unauthorized equipment.

[0065] Thus, a user can much more quickly and easily use an onlineservice, and enhance the security of the system.

[0066] The thirteenth aspect of the present invention is based on theseventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the second recordingdevice is either a non-volatile storage device which stores image datafor a plurality of images or a volatile storage device which temporarilystores image data; communications between the imaging apparatus and thehome server apparatus are performed by wireless communications, theimaging apparatus transmits predetermined imaging apparatus informationto the home server apparatus, and the home server apparatus receivesimage data from the imaging apparatus only when the imaging apparatusinformation received from the imaging apparatus matches imagingapparatus information stored in advance; and the imaging apparatusfurther includes a cradle apparatus capable of supplying power to theimaging apparatus, and the imaging apparatus automatically startswireless communications with the home server apparatus when the imagingapparatus is connected to the cradle apparatus.

[0067] That is, when the second recording device is a non-volatilestorage device for storing image data for a plurality of images, theimage data can be stored in a non-volatile state. Therefore, the imagedata can be transmitted to a print server apparatus at any timing, orcan be re-transmitted.

[0068] When the second recording device is a volatile storage device fortemporarily storing image data, no large-capacity recording device forstoring image data for a plurality of images is required, therebysuccessfully reducing the cost of the home server apparatus.

[0069] Since image data stored in the second recording device can beautomatically transmitted, it is not necessary for a user to operate thehome server apparatus.

[0070] Since communications between the imaging apparatus and the homeserver apparatus are performed by wireless communications, a user cantransmit image data anywhere in a coverage of the wirelesscommunications. Additionally, since image data is transmitted only whenidentification information transmitted from an imaging apparatus matchesidentification information stored in advance in a home server apparatus,no image data is transmitted from an unauthorized equipment.

[0071] Since image data is automatically transmitted when an imagingapparatus is connected to a cradle apparatus, it is not necessary for auser to perform any operation other than connecting the imagingapparatus to the cradle apparatus when image data is transmitted.

[0072] Thus, a user can much more quickly and easily use an onlineservice, and enhance the security of the system.

[0073] The fourteenth aspect of the present invention is based on theseventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the second recordingdevice is either a non-volatile storage device which stores image datafor a plurality of images or a volatile storage device which temporarilystores image data; communications between the imaging apparatus and thehome server apparatus are performed by wireless communications, theimaging apparatus transmits predetermined imaging apparatus informationto the home server apparatus, and the home server apparatus receivesimage data from the imaging apparatus only when the imaging apparatusinformation received from the imaging apparatus matches imagingapparatus information stored in advance; the imaging apparatus furtherincludes a cradle apparatus capable of supplying power to the imagingapparatus, and the imaging apparatus automatically starts wirelesscommunications with the home server apparatus when the imaging apparatusis connected to the cradle apparatus; and image data transmitted by theimaging apparatus is not assigned an identifier, and the identifier isassigned to image data already transmitted to the home server apparatusfrom the imaging apparatus.

[0074] That is, when the second recording device is a non-volatilestorage device for storing image data for a plurality of images, theimage data can be stored in a non-volatile state. Therefore, the imagedata can be transmitted to a print server apparatus at any timing, orcan be re-transmitted.

[0075] When the second recording device is a volatile storage device fortemporarily storing image data, no large-capacity recording device forstoring image data for a plurality of images is required, therebysuccessfully reducing the cost of the home server apparatus.

[0076] Since image data stored in the second recording device can beautomatically transmitted, it is not necessary for a user to operate thehome server apparatus.

[0077] Since communications between the imaging apparatus and the homeserver apparatus are performed by wireless communications, a user cantransmit image data anywhere in a coverage of the wirelesscommunications. Additionally, since image data is transmitted only whenidentification information transmitted from an imaging apparatus matchesidentification information stored in advance in a home server apparatus,no image data is transmitted from an unauthorized equipment.

[0078] Since image data is automatically transmitted when an imagingapparatus is connected to a cradle apparatus, it is not necessary for auser to perform any operation other than connecting the imagingapparatus to the cradle apparatus when image data is transmitted.

[0079] Furthermore, by the imaging apparatus transmitting image data byreferring to an identifier indicating the transmission status, only theimage data which has not been transmitted yet can be transmitted to thehome server apparatus without double transmitting already transmittedimage data.

[0080] Thus, a user can much more quickly and easily use an onlineservice, and enhance the security of the system. Additionally, the userdoes not have to check whether or not image data has already beentransmitted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081]FIG. 1 shows the entire configuration of the print service systemaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0082]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of theimportant portions of the print service system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0083]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the process performed using a digitalcamera according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0084]FIG. 4 shows an image of the wireless communications performedwith a home server by connecting digital camera to a cradle according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

[0085]FIG. 5 shows an image of the wireless communications between adigital camera and a home server according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0086]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the process performed by a home serveraccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0087]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the process performed by a print serveraccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0088]FIG. 8 shows an example of electronic mail according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0089]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of theimportant portions of the print service system according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

[0090]FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the process performed by a home serveraccording to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0091]FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the process performed by a print serveraccording to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0092]FIG. 12 shows an example of electronic mail according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention;

[0093]FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of theimportant portions of the print service system according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention;

[0094]FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the process performed using a digitalcamera according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0095]FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the process performed by a home serveraccording to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0096]FIG. 16 shows an example of electronic mail according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention; and

[0097]FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the process performed by a print serveraccording to the third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0098] The preferred embodiments of the print service system accordingto the present invention are described below in detail by referring tothe attached drawings.

[0099] (First Embodiment)

[0100]FIG. 1 shows the entire configuration of the print service system10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] The print service system 10 includes a home server 20 of a user1, a digital camera 50, a cradle 76, a home server 120 of a user 2, ahome server 122 of a user 3, and a print server 80. The home server 20,the home server 120, the home server 122, and the print server 80 areconnected for communications over Internet 200. The digital camera 50and the home server 20 can perform wireless communicationsbidirectionally.

[0102] The print service system 10 can include one or more home serverapparatuses including the home server 20, and equipment such as adigital camera, etc. can be connected to each home server apparatus.Similarly, the print service system 10 can include one or more printserver apparatuses including the print server 80.

[0103]FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the important portions of theprint service system 10.

[0104] First described below is the digital camera 50.

[0105] The digital camera 50 comprises an imaging unit 52. The imagingunit 52 is connected to a common bus 74, includes a lens, a CCD, etc.not shown in the attached drawings, captures an object as a still imageor a moving picture, and outputs the result as image data.

[0106] Additionally, a CPU 54 for controlling the process performed bythe digital camera 50, ROM 56 storing a program to be executed in thedigital camera 50, a parameter, etc., memory 58 which temporarily storesimage data, etc. and is used as a process area, a medium interface(“interface” is referred to as an I/F in FIG. 2 and the subsequentdescriptions) 60 for controlling the record of image data, etc., awireless communications control unit 64 for controlling the wirelesscommunications with the home server 20, a transmitter/receiver 66 forcommunicating image data, connection information, etc. on a radiosignal, and a display control unit 70 for controlling the display of animage, etc. on an LCD 72 are connected to a common bus 74.

[0107] Furthermore, a removable recording medium 62 is connected to themedium I/F 60, an antenna 68 for communicating a radio signal isconnected to the transmitter/receiver 66, and the LCD 72 for displayingan image, etc. is connected to the display control unit 70.

[0108] The wireless communications control unit 64 stores equipmentidentification information indicating that the digital camera 50 isequipment allowed to perform wireless communications with the homeserver 20. An example of the equipment identification information can bean ID of equipment and a password.

[0109] The wireless communications control unit 64 refers to a flag whenit transmits image data to the home server 20 so that only image datawithout a flag can be transmitted. The flag is added by the wirelesscommunications control unit 64 to the image data which has beentransmitted.

[0110] The digital camera 50 includes a button, a switch, etc. not shownin the attached drawings, and is designed to be operated by a user.

[0111] Described below is the cradle 76.

[0112] The cradle 76 includes a connection unit 78 for connection to thedigital camera 50 and a power source I/F device not shown in theattached drawings, and the digital camera 50 can be connected throughthe connection unit 78 and supplied with electric power.

[0113] When the digital camera 50 is connected to the cradle 76, thewireless communications control unit 64 detects the connection, andautomatically establishes wireless communications with the home server20. The wireless communications can also be established by a useroperating a button, a switch, etc. not shown in the attached drawingswithout connecting the digital camera 50 to the cradle 76.

[0114] Described below are the wireless communications to be establishedbetween the digital camera 50 and the home server 20.

[0115] A preferable system of the wireless communications can be asystem in accordance with the specifications of the IEEE (Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.). For example, according tothe specifications of the IEEE 802.11b, radio waves in the 2.4 GHz bandare used to perform wireless communications up to a distance on theorder of 100 m at the maximum speed of about 11 Mbps. According to thespecifications of the IEEE 802.11g, radio waves in the same 2.4 GHz bandas the IEEE 802.11b are used to perform wireless communications at themaximum speed of about 54 Mbps, and maintains the upward compatibilitywith the specifications of the IEEE 802.11b. The specifications of theIEEE also includes the IEEE 802.11a, etc.

[0116] The system of wireless communications can also be a system basedon the above-mentioned specifications of the IEEE, a system based on theconditions of a transmission distance, a communication speed, etc., thatis, a system based on the specifications of Bluetooth, the infraredcommunications based on the specifications of IrDA.

[0117] Described below is the home server 20.

[0118] The home server 20 comprises a CPU 22 for controlling processing.The CPU 22 is connected to a common bus 42.

[0119] In addition to the CPU 22, ROM 24 storing a program to beexecuted by the home server 20, a parameter, etc., memory 26 whichtemporarily stores image data, etc. and is used as a process area, amagnetic disk 34 for storing image data and electronic mail receivedfrom the print server 80, a wireless communications control unit 28 forcontrolling wireless communications with the digital camera 50, atransmitter/receiver 30 for communicating image data, equipmentidentification information, etc. as a radio signal, the magnetic disk 34storing image data received from the digital camera 50, and electronicmail received from the print server 80, a network I/F unit 36, and adisplay control unit 38 for controlling the display of image data,electronic mail, etc. are connected to the common bus 42.

[0120] The wireless communications control unit 28 stores in advance theequipment identification information (ID of equipment, a password, etc.)about equipment (including the digital camera 50) allowed to performwireless communications with the home server 20, and receives image dataonly when the equipment identification information about the equipmentmatches the equipment identification information stored in advance.

[0121] The magnetic disk 34 stores predetermined user information suchas the ID, the password, the name, the address, the mail address, of theuser, so that they can be transmitted together with image data to theprint server 80.

[0122] Furthermore, an antenna 32 for communicating a radio signal isconnected to the transmitter/receiver 30. A CRT 40 for display of animage based on the image data received from the digital camera 50,electronic mail received from the print server 80, etc. is connected tothe display control unit 38.

[0123] The network I/F unit 36 detects a communication load imposed bythe equipment such as a PC 300, a television 302, etc. connected to thehome server 20, and establishes communications with the print server 80through the Internet 200 when the communication load is equal to orlower than a predetermined value.

[0124] The home server 20 includes a mouse, a keyboard, a button, aswitch, etc. not shown in the attached drawings, and is designed to beoperated by a user in displaying an image and electronic mail, placingan order of output of image data, etc.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the digital camera 50, the PC300 and the television 302 are connected to the home server 20, and apersonal digital assistance (PDA), a mobile phone, etc. can also beconnected thereto.

[0126] Described below is the print server 80.

[0127] The print server 80 comprises a CPU 82, and the CPU 82 isconnected to a common bus 99.

[0128] In addition to the CPU 82, ROM 84 storing a program to beexecuted by the print server 80, a parameter, etc., a network I/F unit88 for communications with the home server 20 over the Internet 200, andmemory 86 which temporarily stores image data, etc. received from thehome server 20, and is used as a process area are connected to thecommon bus 99.

[0129] Furthermore, a magnetic disk 90 storing image data for each user,a user database (“database” is referred to as a DB in FIG. 2 and thesubsequent descriptions) 92, and a user data management unit 94 areconnected to the common bus 99.

[0130] The user DB 92 stores information such as the ID, the password,the name, and the address of a user, the storage area of image data inthe magnetic disk 90, a mail address, etc.

[0131] The user data management unit 94 controls the storage, update,etc. of the data on the magnetic disk 90 and the user DB 92, updates thetotal number of pieces of data and the total amount of data of the imagedata stored for a user each time image data of the user is received fromthe home server 20, and generates electronic mail when at least one ofthe total number of pieces of data and the total amount of data exceedsa predetermined value, and transmits the electronic mail to the userthrough the network I/F unit 88. The electronic mail includes theinformation that the amount of image data of the user has reached apredetermined value, and the information about the storage area of imagedata in the print server 80, and a procedure of placing an order ofoutput of image data.

[0132] Furthermore, a printer 96 for outputting image data as a print,and a recording apparatus 98 for outputting image data to a recordingmedium are connected to the common bus 99.

[0133] The printer 96 can be an ink jet printer, a laser printer, aphoto printer, etc. The recording apparatus 98 can be a CD-R/W drive, anMO drive, a DVD drive, etc. The image data output to a recording mediumsuch as a CD-R/W disk, an MO disk, a DVD disk, etc. using theseapparatuses can be a still image and a moving picture.

[0134] Described below is the operation of the above-mentionedembodiment.

[0135] The process routine of the digital camera 50 is explained firstby referring to FIG. 3.

[0136] First, in step 400, it is determined whether or not the digitalcamera 50 is connected to the cradle 76. If the determination result isYES, control is passed to step 404.

[0137] If the determination result is NO in step 400, then control ispassed to step 402, and it is determined whether or not a request tosend image data has been issued. The determination can be made bychecking the presence/absence of input indicating the request to send bya button, a switch, etc. not shown in the attached drawings. If thedetermination result is YES, control is passed to step 404. If thedetermination result is NO, control is passed to step 414.

[0138] In step 404, it is determined whether or not there is an imagewhich has not been transmitted. The determination is made by checkingthe presence/absence of a transmission completion flag added to imagedata. If the determination result is YES, control is passed to step 406.If the determination result is NO, control is passed to step 414.

[0139] In step 406, the equipment identification information about thedigital camera 50 is transmitted by wireless communications to the homeserver 20, and control is passed to step 408.

[0140] In step 408, it is determined whether or not a permission to sendimage data has been received from the home server 20. If thedetermination result is YES, then control is passed to step 410, andimage data which has not been transmitted yet is transmitted to the homeserver 20 by checking the flag on the image data. If a permission tosend is not received, or a rejection of sending data is received, then anegative determination is made, and control is passed to step 414.

[0141]FIG. 4 shows an image of the wireless communications performed insteps 406 to 410 by connecting the digital camera 50 to the cradle 76.FIG. 5 shows an image of the operation performed using the digitalcamera 50.

[0142] The wireless communications can be performed according to thespecifications of the IEEE, etc. as described above. When image datacannot be normally transmitted due to the trouble, etc. during thecommunications, the data can be re-transmitted.

[0143] In the next step 412, a transmission completion flag is added tothe image data which has been transmitted to the home server 20, andthen control is passed to step 414.

[0144] In step 414, it is determined whether or not the process oftransferring image data is to terminate. The determination is made bychecking whether or not image data which has not been transmitted hasbeen completely transmitted. If the determination result is YES, theprocess routine terminates. If the determination result is NO, controlis returned to step 400.

[0145] Thus, in the print service system 10, only image data which hasnot been transmitted yet is transmitted to the home server 20 byconnecting the digital camera 50 to the cradle 76 and by a useroperating the digital camera 50. As a result, the user can quickly andeasily use an online print service.

[0146] Although the imaging apparatus is the digital camera 50 in thepresent embodiment, the imaging apparatus can be, in addition to thedigital camera 50, a digital video camera capable of capturing a stillimage and a moving picture.

[0147] The process routine of the home server 20 is explained below byreferring to FIG. 6.

[0148] First, in step 500, it is determined whether or not equipmentidentification information is received from the digital camera 50. Anegative determination is repeated until a positive determination ismade. When the determination result is NO, control is passed to step502.

[0149] In step 502, it is determined whether or not the digital camera50 is a registered equipment. The determination is made by checkingwhether or not the equipment identification information received in step500 matches the equipment identification information stored in advance.If the determination result is YES, control is passed to step 504, andthe permission to send image data is transmitted to the digital camera50 using a radio signal. Then, in step 506, image data is received fromthe digital camera 50 and recorded on the magnetic disk 34, and controlis passed to step 508.

[0150] If the determination result is NO in step 502, then control ispassed to step 534 to transmit a rejection of sending image data to thedigital camera 50 using a radio signal, and control is passed to step536.

[0151] In step 508, a communication load imposed by the equipment suchas the PC 300, the television 302, etc. connected to the home server 20is detected, and it is determined whether or not the load is equal to orlower than a predetermined value. The negative determination is repeateduntil a positive determination is made. If the determination result isYES, then control is passed to step 510, and the above-mentioned userinformation and image data are transmitted.

[0152] If the user information and the image data cannot be normallytransmitted due to any trouble, etc. in the communications, they can bere-transmitted.

[0153] Image data can be transmitted to the print server 80 each timeimage data for one image is received from the digital camera 50.

[0154] When user information and image data have been completelytransmitted, control is passed to step 512, and it is determined whetheror not electronic mail has been received from the print server 80. Ifthe determination result is YES, then control is passed to step 514 tostore the electronic mail, and the electronic mail is displayed on theCRT 40 in step 516. If no electronic mail has been received, control ispassed to step 536.

[0155] The electronic mail is transmitted by the print server 80 whenthe amount of image data transmitted by the user has reached apredetermined value, and includes a message to prompt the output ofimage data, a procedure of browsing an image, a procedure of placing anorder of the output of image data, a contact address of a print serviceprovider, etc. (described later).

[0156] Since the electronic mail is transmitted (described later) to theequipment registered in advance in the print server 80, the user canregister the equipment such as the PC 300, a mobile phone, a PDA, etc.in addition to the home server 20 so that the registered equipment canreceive and display the electronic mail.

[0157] In step 518, it is determined whether or not there is a requestto browse the images from the user related to the electronic mail. Thedetermination is made by checking the presence/absence of the inputindicating the request to browse the images using a button and a switchnot shown in the attached drawings. If the determination result is YES,then control is passed to step 520 to transmit to the print server 80the information about the image data specified in the request to browsethe images, and control is then passed to step 522. If the determinationresult is NO, then control is passed to step 526.

[0158] In step 522, the image data transmitted by the print server 80 atthe request to browse the images transmitted in step 520 is received,and control is passed to step 524 to display the image based on theimage data.

[0159] The above-mentioned image can be a small amount of image data forconfirmation transmitted by the print server 80, or an image based onthe thumbnail image data (described later).

[0160] In the next step 526, it is determined whether or not a user hasissued a request to output image data. If the determination result isYES, then control is passed to step 528 to transmit order information tothe print server 80, and control is then passed to step 530. If thedetermination result is NO, control is passed to step 536.

[0161] The order information transmitted in step 528 can include userinformation such as a user ID, a password, etc., No. of output imagedata and the number of pieces thereof, an output format (output as aprint, record of image data to a recording medium), etc.

[0162] In step 530, it is determined whether or not the confirmationelectronic mail transmitted by the print server 80 has been received. Ifthe determination result is YES, then control is passed to step 532 todisplay the confirmation electronic mail on the CRT 40, and control isthen passed to step 536. If the determination result is NO, control ispassed to step 536.

[0163] The user can check the status of the order according to theconfirmation electronic mail, and can receive a print 100 on which imagedata is output as an image, and a recording medium 102 which recordsimage data (described later).

[0164] The confirmation electronic mail can be received by equipmentregistered in advance in addition to the home server 20 as with theelectronic mail described above by referring to steps 512 to 516.

[0165] In step 536, it is determined whether or not the processterminates. The determination can be made by checking thepresence/absence of input indicating the termination of the process by abutton, a switch, etc. not shown in the attached drawings. If thedetermination result is YES, the present process routine terminates. Ifthe determination result is NO, control is passed to step 500.

[0166] Thus, in the print service system 10, the home server 20automatically transmits image data to the print server 80. When theamount of image data has reached a predetermined value, the print server80 transmits electronic mail to equipment such as the home server 20,etc. Since the image data received by the home server 20 is recorded onthe magnetic disk 34, data can be transmitted to the print server 80when the load is low, or data can be re-transmitted if the data has notbeen normally transmitted.

[0167] Thus, it is not necessary for a user to manage the user's ownimage data, but the user can quickly and easily use an online printservice, and the image data recorded on the magnetic disk 34 can bedisplayed on the CRT 40 for browsing.

[0168] Furthermore, in the print service system 10, the electronic mailincludes a message suggesting the output of image data, a procedure ofplacing an order, etc. By the print server 80 transmitting theelectronic mail, there can be an increasing chance to receive an orderfrom a user.

[0169] The process routine of the print server 80 is explained below byreferring to FIG. 7.

[0170] First, in step 600, it is determined whether or not userinformation and image data have been received from the home server 20. Anegative determination is repeated until a positive determination ismade. If the determination result is YES, then control is passed to step602 to record the received image data for each user specified accordingto the above-mentioned user information.

[0171] In the next step 604, the total number of pieces of image dataand the total amount of image data recorded for the user are updated,control is passed to step 606 to determine whether or not at least oneof the updated number of pieces of image data and the updated amount ofimage data has reached a predetermined value. If the determinationresult is YES, then control is passed to step 608. If the determinationresult is NO, control is returned to step 620.

[0172] The above-mentioned predetermined value can be set for only oneof the total number of pieces of image data and the total number ofpieces of image data, or can be set for both of them. Additionally, aplurality of values can be simultaneously set. These values can be setby a user.

[0173] When the total number of pieces of image data and the totalamount of image data are updated, the image data can be analyzed. Inthis case, image data corresponding to similar images are continuouslyreceived, it is assumed that the user has mis-captured them, the pluralpieces of image data are considered to be the image data of the sameimage with the number of pieces of image data counted as 1.

[0174] In step 608, electronic mail is transmitted to the equipmentregistered in advance for each user. The equipment can be the PC 300, amobile phone, a PDA, etc. in addition to the home server 20.

[0175] The electronic mail transmitted in step 608 includes a messagesuggesting the output of image data, a procedure of browsing an image, aprocedure of placing an order of image data, the contact address of aprint service provider, etc. as indicated by an example shown in FIG. 8.

[0176] In the next step 610, it is determined whether or not a requestto browse the images has been received from the home server 20. If thedetermination result is YES, control is passed to step 612 to transmitthe requested image data to the home server 20, and control is thenpassed to step 614.

[0177] If a request to browse the images is received in step 610, thenthe load on the home server 20, and the necessary time, etc. required intransmitting image data are considered, confirmation image data andimage data of a thumbnail image which are small in the amount of data inthe requested image data are generated, and then transmitted.

[0178] A thumbnail image refers to an image displayed in a list formwith a plurality of images displayed in a size in which a plurality ofimages can be confirmed and selected.

[0179] In step 614, it is determined whether or not order informationhas been received from the home server 20. If the determination resultis YES, then control is passed to step 616 to output image dataaccording to the order information. If the determination result is NO,control is passed to step 620.

[0180] The output of the image data in step 616 can be the print 100 asan image, and the recording medium 102 which records image data.

[0181] When image data is output to the recording medium 102, not onlythe image data of a still image, but also the image data of a movingpicture can be output. The recording medium 102 can be a CD-R/W disk, anMO disk, a DVD disk, etc.

[0182] In the next step 618, confirmation mail indicating the completionof an ordered product is transmitted. The confirmation mail can betransmitted to any equipment including the home server 20 registered inadvance as described above.

[0183] In the next step 620, it is determined whether or not the processterminates. If the determination result is YES, the present processroutine terminates. If the determination result is NO, then control isreturned to step 600.

[0184] As described above, in the print service system 10 to which thepresent embodiment is applied, a user can be notified according to theelectronic mail transmitted by the print server 80 that the amount ofimage data has reached a predetermined value without managing the user'sown image data. Additionally, since the user can place an orderaccording to the message which is included in the electronic mail andsuggests the output of image data, the user can quickly and easilyreceive an online service.

[0185] Also in the print service system 10 to which the presentembodiment is applied, the amount of image data of a user can be updatedeach time image data is received by the print server 80, and when theupdate result exceeds a predetermined value, the user is suggestedaccording to electronic mail to output image data. As a result, theservice provider can increase the chance to receive an order from theuser.

[0186] In the print service system 10, all or a part of the services canbe offered as fee-based services, or different service can be offeredbetween free users and fee-based users. For example, there can bedifferent storage periods and storage capacities assigned between freeusers and fee-based users.

[0187] (Second Embodiment)

[0188] Described below is the second embodiment of the print servicesystem according to the present invention.

[0189] As shown in FIG. 9, a print service system 11 according to thepresent embodiment comprises as the important components the digitalcamera 50, the cradle 76, a home server 21A, and a print server 80, butthe entire configuration of the system including other components is thesame as the print service system 10 (FIG. 1) according to theabove-mentioned first embodiment. Described below are the differences inconfiguration from the print service system 10 according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

[0190] In the print service system 10 according to the first embodiment,the print server 80 manages the number of pieces of image data and theamount of image data, and transmits electronic mail based on themanagement result. In the print service system according to the presentembodiment, the home server 21A performs the above-mentioned processes.Therefore, the configurations of the home server 21A and the printserver 80 are different from those according to the first embodiment.The configuration of the digital camera 50 is the same as that accordingto the first embodiment (FIG. 2).

[0191] The home server 21A comprises, in addition to the components ofthe home server 20 according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2), an imagemanagement unit 44, an image database (hereinafter referred to as animage DB) 46, an LED 48, and a loudspeaker 49 as shown in FIG. 9.

[0192] The image management unit 44 manages the record of image data onthe magnetic disk 34, and the record of image data in the image DB 46.The image management unit 44 assigns a serial number for designation ofeach piece of image data, and records it on the magnetic disk 34. Theimage DB 46 stores for each piece of image data the above-mentionedserial number, the storage area of the image in the magnetic disk 34,the information indicating whether or not the data has been transmittedto the print server 80, and the information indicating whether or not aprint order has been issued.

[0193] The image management unit 44 updates the total number of piecesof data and the total amount of data of the image data transmitted eachtime image data is transmitted to the print server 80. When at least oneof the total number of pieces of data and the total amount of dataexceeds a predetermined value, electronic mail is generated andtransmitted to equipment registered in advance, the LED 48 is lighted orblinks, or a voice message is output from the loudspeaker 49, etc.,thereby notifying a user that the amount of data has exceeded apredetermined value.

[0194] The electronic mail includes the information that the amount ofimage data of the user has reached a predetermined value, and theinformation about the storage area of image data in the home server 21Aand the print server 80, and a procedure of placing an order of outputof image data.

[0195] Since other configurations of the home server 21A are the same asthose of the home server 20 according to the first embodiment, the samereference numerals are assigned to the same components, and overlappingexplanation is omitted here.

[0196] Although the print server 80 according to the present embodimenthas the same component (FIG. 2) as the print server 80 according to thefirst embodiment, in the print service system 11 according to thepresent embodiment, the home server 21A manages the number of pieces ofimage data and the amount of image data, and transmits the electronicmail based on the management result (as described above).

[0197] Therefore, in the print server 80, the user data management unit94 does not manage the number of pieces of image data or the amount ofimage data, or transmit the electronic mail based on the managementresult, but controls the record, update, etc. of data on the magneticdisk 90 and in the user DB 92.

[0198] Since other configurations in the print server 80 are the same asthose in the print server 80 according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention, the same component is assigned the same referencenumeral, and the overlapping explanation is omitted here.

[0199] Described below is the operation of the present embodiment.

[0200] The process routine of the digital camera 50 is explained firstby referring to FIG. 3. The process routine is the same as that of thedigital camera 50 according to the first embodiment.

[0201] First, in step 400, it is determined whether or not the digitalcamera 50 is connected to the cradle 76. If the determination result isYES, control is passed to step 404.

[0202] If the determination result is NO in step 400, then control ispassed to step 402, and it is determined whether or not a request tosend image data has been issued. The determination can be made bychecking the presence/absence of input indicating the request to send bya button, a switch, etc. not shown in the attached drawings. If thedetermination result is YES, control is passed to step 404. If thedetermination result is NO, control is passed to step 414.

[0203] In step 404, it is determined whether or not there is an imagewhich has not been transmitted. The determination is made by checkingthe presence/absence of a transmission completion flag added to imagedata. If the determination result is YES, control is passed to step 406.If the determination result is NO, control is passed to step 414.

[0204] In step 406, the equipment identification information about thedigital camera 50 is transmitted by wireless communications to the homeserver 21A, and control is passed to step 408.

[0205] In step 408, it is determined whether or not a permission to sendimage data has been received from the home server 21A. If thedetermination result is YES, then control is passed to step 410, andimage data which has not been transmitted yet is transmitted to the homeserver 21A by checking the flag on the image. If a permission to send isnot received, or a rejection of sending data is received, then anegative determination is made, and control is passed to step 414.

[0206]FIG. 4 shows an image of the wireless communications performed insteps 406 to 410 by connecting the digital camera 50 to the cradle 76.FIG. 5 shows an image of the operation performed using the digitalcamera 50.

[0207] As with the first embodiment of the present invention, thewireless communications can be performed according to the specificationsof the IEEE, etc. as described above. When image data cannot be normallytransmitted due to the trouble, etc. during the communications, the datacan be re-transmitted.

[0208] In the next step 412, a transmission completion flag is added tothe image data which has been transmitted to the home server 21A, andthen control is passed to step 414.

[0209] In step 414, it is determined whether or not the process oftransferring image data is to terminate. The determination is made bychecking whether or not image data which has not been transmitted hasbeen completely transmitted. If the determination result is YES, theprocess routine terminates. If the determination result is NO, controlis returned to step 400.

[0210] Thus, in the print service system 11, only image data which hasnot been transmitted is transmitted to the home server 21A by connectingthe digital camera 50 to the cradle 76 and by a user operating thedigital camera 50. As a result, the user can quickly and easily use anonline print service.

[0211] Although the imaging apparatus is the digital camera 50 in thepresent embodiment, the imaging apparatus can be, in addition to thedigital camera 50, a digital video camera capable of capturing a stillimage and a moving picture.

[0212] The process routine of the home server 21A is explained below byreferring to FIG. 10.

[0213] First, in step 700, it is determined whether or not equipmentidentification information is received from the digital camera 50. Anegative determination is repeated until a positive determination ismade. When the determination result is YES, control is passed to step702.

[0214] In step 702, it is determined whether or not the digital camera50 is a registered equipment. The determination is made by checkingwhether or not the equipment identification information received in step700 matches the equipment identification information stored in advance.If the determination result is YES, control is passed to step 704, andthe permission to send image data is transmitted to the digital camera50 using a radio signal. Then, in step 706, image data is received fromthe digital camera 50 and recorded on the magnetic disk 34 in step 708,and control is passed to step 710.

[0215] If the determination result is NO in step 702, then control ispassed to step 740 to transmit a rejection of sending image data to thedigital camera 50 using a radio signal, and control is passed to step742.

[0216] In step 710, a communication load imposed by the equipment suchas the PC 300, the television 302, etc. connected to the home server 21Ais detected, and it is determined whether or not the load is equal to orlower than a predetermined value. The negative determination is repeateduntil a positive determination is made. If the determination result isYES, then control is passed to step 712, and the above-mentioned userinformation and image data are transmitted.

[0217] User information includes an ID, a password, the name andaddress, the mail address, etc. of a user, and is used in designatingthe user and accepting an order in the home server 21A.

[0218] If the user information and the image data cannot be normallytransmitted due to any trouble, etc. in the communications, they can bere-transmitted.

[0219] Image data can be transmitted to the print server 80 each timeimage data for one image is received from the digital camera 50.

[0220] In the next step 712, the contents of the image DB 46, that is,the serial number, the storage area of the image in the magnetic disk34, and the transmission completion information to the print server 80about the transmitted image data, are updated, and then control ispassed to step 716.

[0221] In step 716, the total of number of pieces of image data and thetotal of amount of image data are updated, control is passed to step718, and it is determined whether or not at least one of the number ofpieces of image data and the amount of image data updated as describedabove has reached a predetermined value. If the determination result isYES, control is passed to step 720. If the determination result is NO,control is passed to step 742.

[0222] The above-mentioned predetermined value can be set for only oneof the total number of pieces of image data and the total number ofpieces of image data, or can be set for both of them. Additionally, aplurality of values can be simultaneously set. These values can be setby a user.

[0223] When the total number of pieces of image data and the totalamount of image data are updated, the image data can be analyzed. Inthis case, image data corresponding to similar images are continuouslyreceived, it is assumed that the user has mis-captured them, the pluralpieces of image data are considered to be the image data of the sameimage with the number of pieces of image data counted as 1.

[0224] In step 720, electronic mail is transmitted to the equipmentregistered in advance. The equipment can be the PC 300, a mobile phone,a PDA, etc. in addition to the home server 21A.

[0225] Therefore, the user can register in advance the equipment such asthe PC 300, a mobile phone, a PDA, etc. in addition to the home server21A so that the registered equipment can receive and display theelectronic mail.

[0226] The electronic mail transmitted in step 720 includes a messagesuggesting the output of image data, a method of browsing an image, aprocedure of placing an order of image data, the contact address of aprint service provider, etc. as indicated by an example shown in FIG.12.

[0227] In the next step 722, the user is notified by the lighted andblinking LED 48 or a voice message output from the loudspeaker 49 thatthe number of pieces of image data transmitted to the print server 80has reached a predetermined value, and electronic mail has transmitted.Although a user may not be aware of the transmitted electronic mail, theLED 48 and the loudspeaker 49 can attract the attention of the user.

[0228] In the next step 724, it is determined whether or not a displayrequest for the electronic mail has been issued. If the determinationresult is YES, control is passed to step 726 to display electronic mailon the CRT 40. If the determination result is NO, control is passed tostep 742.

[0229] In the next step 728, it is determined whether or not a requestto browse the images has been issued from the user in response to theelectronic mail. The determination can be made depending on thepresence/absence of the input indicating the request using a button anda switch not shown in the attached drawings. If the determination resultis YES, control is passed to step 730, and based on the contents of theimage DB 46, an image corresponding to the image data specified in therequest to browse the images is displayed on the CRT 40. If thedetermination result is NO, control is passed to step 742.

[0230] The above-mentioned image can be based on confirmation image dataof a small amount of data, or based on thumbnail image data. A thumbnailimage refers to an image displayed in a list form with a plurality ofimages displayed in a size in which a plurality of images can beconfirmed and selected.

[0231] Although an image is displayed based on the contents of the imageDB 46 according to the explanation above, an image display request canbe transmitted to the print server 80, and an image can be displayedbased on the request result.

[0232] In the next step 732, it is determined whether or not an imagedata output request has been issued from the user. If the determinationresult is YES, control is passed to step 734 to transmit orderinformation to the print server 80, and control is then passed to step736. If the determination result is NO, control is passed to step 742.

[0233] The order information transmitted in step 734 can include userinformation such as a user ID, a password, etc., output image data andthe number of pieces thereof, an output format (output as a print,record of image data to a recording medium), etc.

[0234] In step 736, it is determined whether or not the confirmationelectronic mail transmitted by the print server 80 has been received. Ifthe determination result is YES, then control is passed to step 738 todisplay the confirmation electronic mail on the CRT 40, and control isthen passed to step 742. If the determination result is NO, control ispassed to step 742 without performing the process in step 738.

[0235] The user can check the status of the order according to theconfirmation electronic mail, and can receive a print 100 on which imagedata is output as an image, and a recording medium 102 which recordsimage data corresponding to a still image and a moving picture(described later).

[0236] The confirmation electronic mail can be received by equipmentregistered in advance in addition to the home server 21A as with theelectronic mail described above by referring to step 720.

[0237] In step 742, it is determined whether or not the processterminates. The determination can be made by checking thepresence/absence of input indicating the termination of the process by abutton, a switch, etc. not shown in the attached drawings. If thedetermination result is YES, the present process routine terminates. Ifthe determination result is NO, control is passed to step 700.

[0238] Thus, in the print service system 11, since the image datareceived by the home server 21A is recorded on the magnetic disk 34,data can be transmitted to the print server 80 when the load is low, ordata can be re-transmitted if the data has not been normallytransmitted.

[0239] The home server 21A automatically transmits image data to theprint server 80, manages image data, and transmits electronic mail toequipment registered in advance when the number of pieces or the amountof image data reaches a predetermined value so that the user can benotified of it using the LED 48 and the loudspeaker 49.

[0240] Thus, it is not necessary for a user to manage image data himselfor herself, but the user can quickly and easily use an online printservice, and the image data recorded on the magnetic disk 34 can bedisplayed on the CRT 40 for browsing.

[0241] Furthermore, in the print service system 11, the electronic mailincludes a message suggesting the output of image data, a procedure ofplacing an order, etc. By the home server 21A transmitting theelectronic mail, there can be an increasing chance for a serviceprovider to receive an order from a user.

[0242] The process routine of the print server 80 is explained below byreferring to FIG. 11.

[0243] First, in step 800, it is determined whether or not userinformation and image data have been received from the home server 21A.A negative determination is repeated until a positive determination ismade. If the determination result is YES, then control is passed to step802 to record the received image data for each user specified accordingto the above-mentioned user information.

[0244] The image data transmitted by a user is stored in both homeserver 21A and print server 80. Therefore, a user can browse the imagesbased on the image data stored in the home server 21A or based on therequest to browse the images issued from the home server 21A to theprint server 80.

[0245] In this case, the print server 80 can transmit image data to thehome server 21A at the request, or transmit the storage area of imagedata in the print server 80 to the home server 21A.

[0246] When image data is transmitted to the home server 21A, then theload on the home server 21A, and the necessary time, etc. required intransmitting image data are considered, confirmation image data andimage data of a thumbnail image which are small in the amount of data inthe requested image data are generated, and then transmitted.

[0247] A thumbnail image refers to an image displayed in a list formwith a plurality of images displayed in a size in which a plurality ofimages can be confirmed and selected.

[0248] In step 804, it is determined whether or not order informationhas been received from the home server 21A. If the determination resultis YES, then control is passed to step 806 to output image dataaccording to the order information. If the determination result is NO,control is passed to step 810.

[0249] The order information transmitted from the home server 21A caninclude user information such as a user ID, a password, etc., outputimage data and the number of pieces thereof, an output format (output asa print, record of image data to a recording medium), etc. According tothe order information, the image data is output.

[0250] The image data in step 806 can be output to the print 100 as animage, and the recording medium 102 storing image data.

[0251] When image data is output to the recording medium 102, not onlythe image data of a still image, but also the image data of a movingpicture can be output. The recording medium 102 can be a CD-R/W disk, anMO disk, a DVD disk, etc.

[0252] In the next step 808, confirmation mail indicating the completionof an ordered product is transmitted to the home server 21A. Theconfirmation mail can be transmitted to any equipment including the homeserver 21A registered in advance as described above.

[0253] In the next step 810, it is determined whether or not the processterminates. If the determination result is YES, the present processroutine terminates. If the determination result is NO, then control isreturned to step 800.

[0254] As described above, in the print service system 11 to which thepresent embodiment is applied, the home server 21A can notify accordingto electronic mail, the LED 48, and the loudspeaker 49 that the totalamount of data has reached a predetermined value, and place an order ofoutput of image data according to the electronic mail. Therefore, it isnot necessary for a user to manage image data himself or herself, butthe user can quickly and easily use an online service.

[0255] Also in the print service system 11 to which the presentembodiment is applied, the amount of image data of a user can be updatedeach time image data is transmitted by the home server 21A, and when theupdate result exceeds a predetermined value, the user is suggestedaccording to electronic mail to output image data. As a result, theservice provider can increase the chance to receive an order from theuser.

[0256] In the print service system 11, all or a part of the services canbe offered as fee-based services, or different service can be offeredbetween free users and fee-based users. For example, there can bedifferent storage periods and storage capacities assigned between freeusers and fee-based users.

[0257] (Third Embodiment)

[0258] Described below is the third embodiment of the print servicesystem according to the present invention.

[0259] As shown in FIG. 13, a print service system 12 according to thepresent embodiment comprises as the important components the digitalcamera 50, the cradle 76, a home server 21B, and a print server 80, butthe entire configuration of the system including other components is thesame as the print service system 10 (FIG. 1) according to theabove-mentioned first embodiment and the print service system 11according to the second embodiment. Described below are the differencesin configuration from the print service system 10 and the print servicesystem 11.

[0260] In the print service system 10 according to the first embodiment,the print server 80 manages the number of pieces of image data and theamount of image data, and transmits electronic mail based on themanagement result. In the print service system 12 according to thepresent embodiment, the home server 21B performs the above-mentionedprocesses as in the second embodiment. Therefore, the configurations ofthe home server 21B and the print server 80 are different from thoseaccording to the first embodiment. The configuration of the digitalcamera 50 is the same as that according to the first and secondembodiments.

[0261] The home server 21B comprises, in addition to the components ofthe home server 20 according to the first embodiment, the imagemanagement unit 44, the image database (hereinafter referred to as animage DB) 46, the LED 48, and the loudspeaker 49 as shown in FIG. 13.This configuration is the same as that of the home server 21A accordingto the second embodiment.

[0262] The image management unit 44 manages the record of image data inthe image DB 46. The image DB 46 stores for each piece of image data theserial number, the information indicating whether or not the data hasbeen transmitted to the print server 80, and the information indicatingwhether or not a print order has been issued.

[0263] The image management unit 44 updates the total number of piecesof data and the total amount of data of the image data transmitted eachtime image data is transmitted to the print server 80. When at least oneof the total number of pieces of data and the total amount of dataexceeds a predetermined value, electronic mail is generated andtransmitted to equipment registered in advance, the LED 48 is lighted orblinks, or a voice message is output from the loudspeaker 49, etc.,thereby notifying a user that the amount of data has exceeded apredetermined value.

[0264] The electronic mail includes the information that the amount ofimage data of the user has reached a predetermined value, and theinformation about the storage area of image data in the print server 80,and a procedure of placing an order of output of image data.

[0265] The home server 21B according to the present embodiment has nomagnetic disk, and the memory 26 is used as a temporary storage area anda process area in transmitting image data for one image, userinformation, etc. to the print server 80. This configuration isdifferent from that of the home server 21A according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

[0266] Since other configurations of the home server 21B are the same asthose of the home server 20 according to the first embodiment and thehome server 21A according to the second embodiment, the same referencenumerals are assigned to the same components, and overlappingexplanation is omitted here.

[0267] Although the print server 80 according to the present embodimenthas the same component as the print server 80 according to the firstembodiment, the home server 21B manages the number of pieces of imagedata and the amount of image data, and transmits the electronic mailbased on the management result in the according to the presentembodiment as with the print service system 11 according to the secondembodiment.

[0268] Therefore, in the print server 80 according to the presentembodiment, as with the print server 80 according to the secondembodiment, the user data management unit 94 does not manage the numberof pieces of image data or the amount of image data, or transmit theelectronic mail based on the management result, but controls the record,update, etc. of data on the magnetic disk 90 and in the user DB 92.

[0269] Since other configurations in the print server 80 are the same asthose in the print server 80 according to the first and secondembodiments of the present invention, the same component is assigned thesame reference numeral, and the overlapping explanation is omitted here.

[0270] Described below is the operation of the present embodiment.

[0271] The process routine of the digital camera 50 is explained firstby referring to FIG. 14. In the print service system 12 according to thepresent embodiment, the home server 21B has no magnetic disk, andrepeatedly transmits image data in an image unit using the memory 26.Therefore, the process routine of the digital camera 50 according to thepresent embodiment is different from the process routine of the digitalcamera 50 according to the first embodiment and the process routine ofthe digital camera 50 according to the second embodiment (FIG. 3).

[0272] First, in step 900, it is determined whether or not the digitalcamera 50 is connected to the cradle 76. If the determination result isYES, control is passed to step 904.

[0273] If the determination result is NO in step 900, then control ispassed to step 902, and it is determined whether or not a request tosend image data has been issued. The determination can be made bychecking the presence/absence of input indicating the request to send bya button, a switch, etc. of digital camera 50 not shown in the attacheddrawings. If the determination result is YES, control is passed to step904. If the determination result is NO, control is passed to step 918.

[0274] In step 904, it is determined whether or not there is an imagewhich has not been transmitted. The determination is made by checkingthe presence/absence of a transmission completion flag added to imagedata. If the determination result is YES, control is passed to step 906.If the determination result is NO, control is passed to step 918.

[0275] In step 906, the equipment identification information about thedigital camera 50 is transmitted by wireless communications to the homeserver 21B, and control is passed to step 908.

[0276] In step 908, it is determined whether or not a permission to sendimage data has been received from the home server 21B. If thedetermination result is YES, then control is passed to step 910, andimage data for an image which has not been transmitted yet istransmitted to the home server 21B by checking the flag on the image.

[0277] If a permission to send is not received, or a rejection ofsending data is received, then a negative determination is made, andcontrol is passed to step 918. As with the first and second embodimentsof the present invention, the wireless communications can be performedaccording to the specifications of the IEEE, etc. as described above.When image data cannot be normally transmitted due to the trouble, etc.during the communications, the data can be re-transmitted.

[0278] In the next step 912, a transmission completion flag is added tothe image data which has been transmitted to the home server 21B, andthen control is passed to step 914.

[0279] In step 914, it is determined whether or not the process oftransferring image data is to complete. If the determination result isYES, then control is passed to step 916, an image data transmissioncompletion notification is transmitted to the home server 21B. If thedetermination result is NO, then control is returned to step 910, andthe transmission of image data is repeated.

[0280] The images when the digital camera 50 is connected to the cradle76 and wireless communications are performed in steps 906 to 916, andthe images when wireless communications are performed by the operationof the digital camera 50 in steps 906 to 916 are as shown in FIGS. 4 and5.

[0281] In step 918, it is determined whether or not the process is toterminate. If the determination result is YES, the process routineterminates. If the determination result is NO, control is returned tostep 900.

[0282] Thus, in the print service system 12, as in the first and secondembodiments, only image data which has not been transmitted istransmitted to the home server 21B by connecting the digital camera 50to the cradle 76, or by a user operating the digital camera 50. As aresult, the user can quickly and easily use an online print service.

[0283] The imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment can be,in addition to the digital camera 50, a digital video camera capable ofcapturing a still image and a moving picture.

[0284] The process routine of the home server 21B is explained below byreferring to FIG. 15.

[0285] First, in step 1000, it is determined whether or not equipmentidentification information is received from the digital camera 50. Anegative determination is repeated until a positive determination ismade. When the determination result is YES, control is passed to step1002.

[0286] In step 1002, it is determined whether or not the digital camera50 is a registered equipment. The determination is made by checkingwhether or not the equipment identification information received in step1000 matches the equipment identification information stored in advance.If the determination result is YES, then control is passed to step 1004,a permission to transmit image data is transmitted to the digital camera50 using a radio signal, and control is passed to step 1006 to transmituser information to the print server 80. If the determination result isNO, then control is passed to step 1046, a rejection of transmittingimage data is transmitted to the digital camera 50 using a radio signal,and control is passed to step 1048.

[0287] User information includes an ID, a password, the name andaddress, the mail address, etc. of a user, and is used in designatingthe user and accepting an order.

[0288] In step 1008, image data for one image is received from thedigital camera 50. In step 1010, the image data is temporarily stored inthe memory 26. Then, in step 1012, the image data is transmitted to theprint server 80.

[0289] In the next step 1014, the content of the image DB 46, that is,the transmission status of the image data, is updated to “transmissioncompleted” based on the transmission result in step 1012. Then, in step1016, the total amount of image data is updated.

[0290] In step 1018, it is determined whether or not the reception ofthe image data from the digital camera 50 has been completed. Thedetermination can be made by checking whether or not a transmissioncompletion notification has been received from the digital camera 50. Ifthe determination result is YES, an image data transmission completionnotification is issued to the print server 80 in step 1019, and thencontrol is passed to step 1020. If the determination result is NO,control is returned to step 1008, and the reception of image data isrepeated.

[0291] In steps 1006 and 1012, the communication load imposed by theequipment such as the PC 300, the television 302, etc. connected to thehome server 211B can be detected to transmit the user information andimage data by checking whether or not the load is equal to or lower thana predetermined value.

[0292] If the user information and the image data cannot be normallytransmitted due to any trouble, etc. in the communications, they can bere-transmitted.

[0293] In step 1020, it is determined whether or not the total amount ofimage data has exceeded a predetermined value. If the determinationresult is YES, then control is passed to step 1022. If the determinationresult is NO, then control is passed to step 1048.

[0294] The above-mentioned predetermined value can be set for only oneof the total number of pieces of image data and the total number ofpieces of image data, or can be set for both of them. Additionally, aplurality of values can be simultaneously set. These values can be setby a user.

[0295] When the total number of pieces of image data and the totalamount of image data are updated, the image data can be analyzed. Inthis case, image data corresponding to similar images are continuouslyreceived, it is assumed that the user has mis-captured them, the pluralpieces of image data are considered to be the image data of the sameimage with the number of pieces of image data counted as 1.

[0296] In step 1022, electronic mail is transmitted to the equipmentregistered in advance. The equipment can be the PC 300, a mobile phone,a PDA, etc. in addition to the home server 21B.

[0297] Therefore, the user can register in advance the equipment such asthe PC 300, a mobile phone, a PDA, etc. in addition to the home server21B so that the registered equipment can receive and display theelectronic mail.

[0298] The electronic mail transmitted in step 1022 includes a messagesuggesting the output of image data, a method of browsing an image, aprocedure of placing an order of image data, the contact address of aprint service provider, etc. as in the first and second embodiments (SeeFIG. 16).

[0299] In the next step 1024, the user is notified by the lighted andblinking LED 48 or a voice message output from the loudspeaker 49 thatthe number of pieces of image data transmitted to the print server 80has reached a predetermined value, and the home server 21B hastransmitted electronic mail. Although a user may not be aware of thetransmitted electronic mail, the LED 48 and the loudspeaker 49 canattract the attention of the user.

[0300] In the next step 1026, it is determined whether or not a displayrequest for the electronic mail has been issued. If the determinationresult is YES, control is passed to step 1028 to display electronic mailon the CRT 40. If the determination result is NO, control is passed tostep 1048.

[0301] In the next step 1030, it is determined whether or not a requestto browse the images has been issued from the user in response to theelectronic mail. The determination can be made depending on thepresence/absence of the input indicating the request using a button anda switch not shown in the attached drawings. If the determination resultis YES, control is passed to step 1032 to transmit a request to browsethe images to the print server 80. If the determination result is NO,control is passed to step 1038.

[0302] In step 1034, image data is received from the print server 80. Instep 1036, an image based on the image data is displayed on the CRT 40.

[0303] The image data can be received and displayed for each image, orthumbnail image data can be received to display an image based on thereceived data (described later).

[0304] A thumbnail image refers to an image displayed in a list formwith a plurality of images displayed in a size in which a plurality ofimages can be confirmed and selected. When the image data is receivedand displayed for each image, confirmation image data of a smalleramount of data can be received and displayed.

[0305] In the next step 1038, it is determined whether or not an imagedata output request has been issued from the user. If the determinationresult is YES, control is passed to step 1040 to transmit orderinformation to the print server 80, and control is then passed to step1042. If the determination result is NO, control is passed to step 1048.

[0306] The order information transmitted in step 1040 can include userinformation such as a user ID, a password, etc., output image data andthe number of pieces thereof, an output format (output as a print,record of image data to a recording medium), etc.

[0307] In step 1042, it is determined whether or not the confirmationelectronic mail transmitted by the print server 80 has been received. Ifthe determination result is YES, then control is passed to step 1044 todisplay the confirmation electronic mail on the CRT 40, and control isthen passed to step 1048. If the determination result is NO, control ispassed to step 1048 without performing the process in step 1044.

[0308] The user can check the status of the order according to theconfirmation electronic mail, and can receive a print 100 on which imagedata is output as an image, and a recording medium 102 which recordsimage data corresponding to a still image and a moving picture(described later).

[0309] The confirmation electronic mail can be received by equipmentregistered in advance in addition to the home server 21B as with theelectronic mail described above by referring to step 1022.

[0310] In step 1048, it is determined whether or not the processterminates. The determination can be made by checking thepresence/absence of input indicating the termination of the process by abutton, a switch, etc. not shown in the attached drawings. If thedetermination result is YES, the present process routine terminates. Ifthe determination result is NO, control is passed to step 1000.

[0311] Thus, in the print service system 12, the home server 21Bautomatically transmits image data to the print server 80, manages imagedata, and transmits electronic mail to equipment registered in advancewhen the number of pieces or the amount of image data reaches apredetermined value so that the user can be notified of it using the LED48 and the loudspeaker 49.

[0312] Therefore, it is not necessary for a user to manage image datahimself or herself, but the user can quickly and easily use an onlineprint service.

[0313] Furthermore, in the print service system 12, the electronic mailincludes a message suggesting the output of image data, a procedure ofplacing an order, etc. By the home server 21B transmitting theelectronic mail, there can be an increasing chance for a serviceprovider to receive an order from a user.

[0314] The process routine of the print server 80 is explained below byreferring to FIG. 17.

[0315] First, in step 1100, it is determined whether or not userinformation has been received from the home server 21B. A negativedetermination is repeated until a positive determination is made. If thedetermination result is YES, then control is passed to step 1102 toreceive image data for one image from the home server 21B.

[0316] In the next step 1104, it is determined whether or not all imagedata has been received. The determination can be made by checking thepresence/absence of the reception of an image data transmissioncompletion notification from the home server 21B. If the determinationresult is YES, then control is passed to step 1106 to store the imagedata received in step 1102 for each user specified by the userinformation. If the determination result is NO, then control is returnedto step 1102, and the reception of image data is repeated.

[0317] In step 1108, it is determined whether or not a request to browsethe images has been received from the home server 21B. If thedetermination result is YES, then control is passed to step 110 totransmit the image data of the requested image to the home server 21B.Then, control is passed to step 1112. If the determination result is NO,then control is passed to step 1112 without performing the process instep 1110.

[0318] The image data can be received and displayed for each image, orthumbnail image data can be generated and transmitted. When the imagedata is generated and transmitted for each image, confirmation imagedata of a smaller amount of data can be transmitted.

[0319] In step 1112, it is determined whether or not order informationhas been received from the home server 21B. If the determination resultis YES, then control is passed to step 1114 to output image dataaccording to the order information. If the determination result is NO,control is passed to step 1118.

[0320] The order information transmitted from the home server 21B caninclude user information such as a user ID, a password, etc., outputimage data and the number of pieces thereof, an output format (output asa print, record of image data to a recording medium), etc. According tothe order information, the image data is output.

[0321] The image data in step 1114 can be output to the print 100 as animage, and the recording medium 102 storing image data.

[0322] When image data is output to the recording medium 102, not onlythe image data of a still image, but also the image data of a movingpicture can be output. The recording medium 102 can be a CD-R/W disk, anMO disk, a DVD disk, etc.

[0323] In the next step 1116, confirmation mail indicating thecompletion of an ordered product is transmitted to the home server 21B.The confirmation mail can be transmitted to any equipment including thehome server 21B registered in advance as described above.

[0324] In the next step 1118, it is determined whether or not theprocess terminates. If the determination result is YES, the presentprocess routine terminates. If the determination result is NO, thencontrol is returned to step 1100.

[0325] As described above, in the print service system 12 to which thepresent embodiment is applied, the home server 21B can notify accordingto electronic mail, the LED 48, and the loudspeaker 49 that the totalamount of data has reached a predetermined value, and place an order ofoutput of image data according to the electronic mail. Therefore, it isnot necessary for a user to manage image data himself or herself, butthe user can quickly and easily use an online service.

[0326] Also in the print service system 12 to which the presentembodiment is applied, the amount of image data of a user can be updatedeach time image data is transmitted by the home server 21B, and when theupdate result exceeds a predetermined value, the user is suggestedaccording to electronic mail to output image data. As a result, theservice provider can increase the chance to receive an order from theuser.

[0327] In the print service system 12, all or a part of the services canbe offered as fee-based services, or different service can be offeredbetween free users and fee-based users. For example, there can bedifferent storage periods and storage capacities assigned between freeusers and fee-based users.

What is claimed is:
 1. A print service system, comprising: an imagingapparatus including: an imaging device which outputs image data of aphoto image obtained by capturing an object, a first recording devicewhich records the image data, and a first communications device whichtransmits the image data recorded in said first recording device to apredetermined home server apparatus; the predetermined home serverapparatus including: a second communications device which receives imagedata from said imaging apparatus, a second recording device whichrecords the image data received by said second communications device,and a third communications device which automatically transmits theimage data recorded by said second recording device and predetermineduser information to a predetermined print server apparatus; and thepredetermined print server apparatus, including: a fourth communicationsdevice which receives image data and the predetermined user informationfrom the home server apparatus, a third recording device which recordsthe image data received by said fourth communications device for eachuser specified by the predetermined user information; a user datamanagement device which manages image data of a user recorded by saidthird recording device, and a first output device which outputs theimage data recorded by said third recording device to a medium when theuser issues an order, wherein: said user data management device updatesat least one of a total number of pieces of image data and a totalamount of image data about a user specified by the predetermined userinformation each time said fourth communications device receives imagedata and the predetermined user information from the home serverapparatus, and automatically transmits message information to equipmentregistered in advance for the user when the updated result exceeds apredetermined value, wherein the message information includes a proposalfor the user to output image data to a medium.
 2. The print servicesystem according to claim 1, wherein: communications between saidimaging apparatus and said home server apparatus are performed bywireless communications, said imaging apparatus transmits predeterminedimaging apparatus information to said home server apparatus, and saidhome server apparatus receives image data from said imaging apparatusonly when the imaging apparatus information received from said imagingapparatus matches imaging apparatus information stored in advance. 3.The print service system according to claim 1, wherein: said imagingapparatus further comprises a cradle apparatus capable of supplyingpower to said imaging apparatus, and said imaging apparatusautomatically starts wireless communications with said home serverapparatus when said imaging apparatus is connected to said cradleapparatus.
 4. The print service system according to claim 1, wherein:image data transmitted by said imaging apparatus is not assigned anidentifier, and the identifier is assigned to image data alreadytransmitted to said home server apparatus from said imaging apparatus.5. The print service system according to claim 1, wherein:communications between said imaging apparatus and said home serverapparatus are performed by wireless communications, said imagingapparatus transmits predetermined imaging apparatus information to saidhome server apparatus, and said home server apparatus receives imagedata from said imaging apparatus only when the imaging apparatusinformation received from said imaging apparatus matches imagingapparatus information stored in advance; and said imaging apparatusfurther comprises a cradle apparatus capable of supplying power to saidimaging apparatus, and said imaging apparatus automatically startswireless communications with said home server apparatus when saidimaging apparatus is connected to said cradle apparatus.
 6. The printservice system according to claim 1, wherein: communications betweensaid imaging apparatus and said home server apparatus are performed bywireless communications, said imaging apparatus transmits predeterminedimaging apparatus information to said home server apparatus, and saidhome server apparatus receives image data from said imaging apparatusonly when the imaging apparatus information received from said imagingapparatus matches imaging apparatus information stored in advance; saidimaging apparatus further comprises a cradle apparatus capable ofsupplying power to said imaging apparatus, and said imaging apparatusautomatically starts wireless communications with said home serverapparatus when said imaging apparatus is connected to said cradleapparatus; and image data transmitted by said imaging apparatus is notassigned an identifier, and the identifier is assigned to image dataalready transmitted to said home server apparatus from said imagingapparatus.
 7. A print service system, comprising: an imaging apparatusincluding: an imaging device which outputs image data of a photo imageobtained by capturing an object, a first recording device which recordsthe image data, and a first communications device which transmits theimage data recorded in said first recording device to a predeterminedhome server apparatus; and the predetermined home server apparatusincluding: a second communications device which receives image data fromsaid imaging apparatus, a second recording device which records theimage data received by said second communications device, a thirdcommunications device which automatically transmits the image datarecorded by said second recording device and predetermined userinformation to a predetermined print server apparatus, and an image datamanagement device which manages image data recorded in said secondrecording device, wherein: said image data management device updates atleast one of a total number of pieces of image data and a total amountof image data each time said third communications device transmits imagedata to the specified print server apparatus, and automaticallytransmits message information to equipment registered in advance whenthe updated result exceeds a predetermined value; wherein said messageinformation includes a proposal to output image data to a medium fromsaid print server apparatus.
 8. The print service system according toclaim 7, wherein said second recording device is either a non-volatilestorage device which stores image data for a plurality of images or avolatile storage device which temporarily stores image data.
 9. Theprint service system according to claim 7, wherein: communicationsbetween said imaging apparatus and said home server apparatus areperformed by wireless communications, said imaging apparatus transmitspredetermined imaging apparatus information to said home serverapparatus, and said home server apparatus receives image data from saidimaging apparatus only when the imaging apparatus information receivedfrom said imaging apparatus matches imaging apparatus information storedin advance.
 10. The print service system according to claim 7, wherein:said imaging apparatus further comprises a cradle apparatus capable ofsupplying power to said imaging apparatus, and said imaging apparatusautomatically starts wireless communications with said home serverapparatus when said imaging apparatus is connected to said cradleapparatus.
 11. The print service system according to claim 7, wherein:image data transmitted by said imaging apparatus is not assigned anidentifier, and the identifier is assigned to image data alreadytransmitted to said home server apparatus from said imaging apparatus.12. The print service system according to claim 7, wherein: said secondrecording device is either a non-volatile storage device which storesimage data for a plurality of images or a volatile storage device whichtemporarily stores image data; and communications between said imagingapparatus and said home server apparatus are performed by wirelesscommunications, said imaging apparatus transmits predetermined imagingapparatus information to said home server apparatus; and said homeserver apparatus receives image data from said imaging apparatus onlywhen the imaging apparatus information received from said imagingapparatus matches imaging apparatus information stored in advance. 13.The print service system according to claim 7, wherein: said secondrecording device is either a non-volatile storage device which storesimage data for a plurality of images or a volatile storage device whichtemporarily stores image data; communications between said imagingapparatus and said home server apparatus are performed by wirelesscommunications, said imaging apparatus transmits predetermined imagingapparatus information to said home server apparatus, and said homeserver apparatus receives image data from said imaging apparatus onlywhen the imaging apparatus information received from said imagingapparatus matches imaging apparatus information stored in advance; andsaid imaging apparatus further comprises a cradle apparatus capable ofsupplying power to said imaging apparatus, and said imaging apparatusautomatically starts wireless communications with said home serverapparatus when said imaging apparatus is connected to said cradleapparatus.
 14. The print service system according to claim 7, wherein:said second recording device is either a non-volatile storage devicewhich stores image data for a plurality of images or a volatile storagedevice which temporarily stores image data; communications between saidimaging apparatus and said home server apparatus are performed bywireless communications, said imaging apparatus transmits predeterminedimaging apparatus information to said home server apparatus, and saidhome server apparatus receives image data from said imaging apparatusonly when the imaging apparatus information received from said imagingapparatus matches imaging apparatus information stored in advance; saidimaging apparatus further comprises a cradle apparatus capable ofsupplying power to said imaging apparatus, and said imaging apparatusautomatically starts wireless communications with said home serverapparatus when said imaging apparatus is connected to said cradleapparatus; and image data transmitted by said imaging apparatus is notassigned an identifier, and the identifier is assigned to image dataalready transmitted to said home server apparatus from said imagingapparatus.